God's wrath a no no in PCUSA songs!

Follow this link God's wrath to an interesting article on why the Presbyterian Church USA, not to be confused with the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America, has decided to remove the song In Christ Alone from their hymnals, after failing to get the authors to allow them to replace lyrics about God's wrath with less offensive language.

1 Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

 

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Where did 5 years go?

As of this week I have been the Pastor of Mount Herman Christian Church for five years. It seemed to go by quickly, but much has happened during this time and I can't help but reflect on and evaluate my years here.

Here are some things that have changed:

-  Membership and attendance have dropped significantly since I arrived.

-  We have fewer programs going on at the church than when I arrived.

-  We have less paid staff than when I arrived.

-  We have a smaller budget now than when I arrived, although we have adjusted to live within it.

-  Closely related to the above facts is that it is much more difficult to maintain our facilities now than when I arrived.

-  We have a much more biblically educated congregation than when I arrived.

-  We have less conflict than when I arrived, as many people have matured in their faith and handle problems in a more biblical and graceful way.

-  We are more equipped and enthused for going into the world to reach the lost than when I arrived.

- We have a greater commitment by parents to disciple their children/youth than when I arrived. Parents no longer see children/youth discipleship as primarily the child/youth leaders job.

-  We are far more Gospel centered than when I arrived. Not that the gospel wasn't preached before, but now the person, work and teachings of Jesus Christ are truly at the center of our ministries.

How would I evaluate these past five years? By looking at my job description and seeing if what I have done matches what I was expected to do!

Several scriptures come to mind as I think about my job description:

First, a very general description of the ministry the church is called to carry out, and the leaders (Pastors/Elders) are expected to keep the church focused on:

Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Next, a passage with a little more specifics regarding the role of those called to pastor and teach the church:

Eph. 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Finally, Paul's evaluation of his own ministry:

Acts 20:25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Have I done what I have been called to do? I have tried, but know I have fallen short in many ways. However, it seems very important that many of the things that could easily be taken as the tests for success, the first five points I mentioned at the beginning for instance, are not really a consideration when evaluating my last five years against the job description I have received from Christ and His word.

Therefore, I can only hope that I have been faithful to the Lord up to this point, and seek to lead and teach the flock at MHCC from His word, to accomplish His purposes as His church in the years to come!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

No Christians need apply in San Antonio!

I was not too surprised, but truly saddened by the article found here: Penalize Bible Believers. I certainly think it is appropriate to speak out against unjust laws in defense of God's truth, and because it is best for mankind. However, as I am teaching on the Christian response to unjust suffering this week, and how it is a crucial part of our witness, I am reminded that when it comes to our being personally wronged by this kind of persecution, there is a God glorifying way to respond:

1 Pet. 3:13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”  ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (NKJV)

God give us the wisdom and strength to respond in a way that demonstrates You are Lord and our hope is in You!


"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Altar Calls?

Follow the link to a sermon on Sermonaudio. I do typically invite people to come forward for prayer at the end of services, either with me or alone at the front of the sanctuary, and I will certainly end many services by encouraging people to put their faith in and follow Jesus if they desire to be saved. I am not at all comfortable with suggesting anyone will be saved by coming forward, praying a prayer or any other outward act.

I think the speaker in this sermon gives some very compelling arguments for not using the traditional alter call and it certainly makes me think more deeply about what I do say when closing our services.

I would love to hear some feedback!

Two amazing videos from Wretched Radio - Is this America?

I never get tired of this!

Rev. 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
¹⁰ And have made us^[d] kings^[e] and priests to our God;
And we^[f] shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”^[g]

¹⁴ Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four^[h] elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.^[i]

 

And now consider evangelism as an act of worship?

 

Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore^[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^[d]

 

What a great act of worship it is to submit to Jesus' call to tell others of His glorious saving work, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey Him. This is a major way we worship Him now, it is what we are to do until the end of the age, then all who believe will worship together before His throne!

 

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

 

Men evolved into mermaids, really?

I saw this video on Wretchedradio, sad, funny, pathetic, you decide......

A Greater Love Than John 3:16, by John Piper

James White discussing Supreme Court decisions

James White makes some great observations regarding the state of morality and the church in America during the first third of this episode of The Dividing Line.